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DIY Ironing Board Cover

Since I never (like never ever) iron I’m not quite sure why I took on this little makeover project.

But now my unused ironing board looks so pretty hanging on my newly painted laundry room wall. It just makes me happy (partly because I never have to use it.)

To make this pretty ironing board cover for yourself you will need:

1 yard of fabric

old ironing board

the foam from the old ironing board

spray adhesive

the string from the old ironing board (don’t cut it when removing it)

coordinating thread

sewing machine

For my cover I used 3 different fabrics (I wanted a patchwork kind of look). But it would be even easier if you used just one fabric.

Remove the old cover (I was shocked at how dirty mine was, I mean I never even use it how did it get so dirty?) Use the spray adhesive to attach the foam to the top of the ironing board.

Flip ironing board over and cut the fabric all the way around. Leaving a 2-3 inch seam allowance all around.

If you are making a patch work style cover, be sure to sew your pieces together (right sides together).

Now here is when you should iron the seams down. But of course I didn’t. Ironic don’t you think?

Lay the string around the outside of the fabric and pin down. I only pinned it down in about 7 spots. Just enough so that it doesn’t more around when sewing it.

Set your sewing machine to the largest zigzag stitch possible and sew over top of the string. Be careful not to catch the string while sewing. You do not want the string to be attached to the fabric. We will be pulling the string closed in the next step, so it needs to be free and move.

Now pull the string and tighten the cover around the ironing board. Once the cover is fitted you can tie a knot in the string.

Thanks for the tutorial only thing I did different was the string (just hooked a small safety pin to one end and wiggled it through. I also made a pattern of the board for the next time I need to redo it. I have an antique ironing board that is about 1/2″ bigger than my new (flimsey one) but the same pattern can be used as that string draws it in also I use a lot of padding. Researching I noted that some people cut old wool army blankets for padding. Just sharing.

Hi Danielle! I must be one of the rare breeds that love to iron and I love it! I iron everything from clothes to pillow cases and flat sheets (not the fitted sheets). I have been sewing since I was 9 years old so ironing has always been part of my life. Your ironing board cover is beautiful; however, you should mention that your “patch work style” ironing board cover should be used for decoration only. It would not work for ironing because the seams would leave crease marks and/or indentations on the item being ironed. For ironing, the ironing board cover has to be completely smooth. Your pictures and instructions for making are excellent! But, for non-sewers/crafters it would be helpful to indicate about how far from the edge of the fabric you placed the string e.g. “Lay the string around the outside of the fabric about 2″ from outer edge and pin down.”

This is seriously cute. And, I love it even more that you admit that you don’t iron either. I am an AWFUL ironer (one time I actually burnt an iron mark onto a shirt… it can happen), but this ironing board idea would make me want to try!

I love this Danielle! And of course you couldn’t press open the seams because your ironing board was upside down. lol. I skip that step too many times and then curse myself for skipping it!
I need to do this – I never even thought about it looking cute hanging on the wall!
Brenda